Learn German A1: How to Use the Verb “Wollen” (To Want)
Do you want to say what you like or what you plan to do in German? Then you need the verb wollen.
In German, wollen is a modal verb. It means “to want”. We use it to express a wish, a desire, or a big plan. It is one of the most important verbs for beginners!
How to Conjugate “Wollen” (A1 Grammar)
Modal verbs are a bit special in German. Look closely at the forms for ich (I) and er/sie/es (he/she/it)—they change their vowel from o to i, and they do not have endings!
| German Pronoun | Verb Form | English Translation |
| ich | will | I want |
| du | willst | you want (informal) |
| er / sie / es | will | he / she / it wants |
| wir | wollen | we want |
| ihr | wollt | you all want |
| sie / Sie | wollen | they want / You want (formal) |
Simple Sentence Examples
You can use wollen with a noun (a thing) or with another action verb.
Example 1: Wollen + Noun
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German: Ich will ein Eis.
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English: I want an ice cream.
Example 2: Wollen + Another Verb
When you use a second verb, it always goes to the very end of the sentence in its original form (infinitive).
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German: Wir wollen in den Urlaub fahren.
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English: We want to go on vacation.
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German: Er will spazieren gehen.
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English: He wants to go for a walk.
Easy Word List for Beginners
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Wollen — To want
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Der Urlaub — The vacation
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Das Eis — The ice cream
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Spazieren gehen — To go for a walk
A1 Speaking Tip:
Be careful! In Germany, saying “Ich will…” can sound very strong or a bit impolite in a restaurant. If you want to order food politely, it is better to say: “Ich möchte…” (I would like…). Use wollen when you talk about your plans with friends!